For the first time since October 2003, AAN has sold an ad through the AAN ADvantage program. NARAL Pro-Choice America purchased the full-page, black-and-white ad, which will run in member papers in early 2006. Donated ads are included in AAN's annual budget but are not always sold. The NARAL ad was sold by AAN staff, so the association will net the entire $75,000 rate.

Continue ReadingDonated Ad Sold to NARAL

A closer look at one of the icons of Christmas, "Jingle Bell Rock," unveils a tale of dastardly deeds and a lengthy dispute between the family of the song's claimed coauthor and the Nashville music industry. A lot of patient listening and research allowed Folio Weekly staff writer Susan Cooper Eastman to unfold the drama in her award-winning arts feature, "Jingle Bell Crock." This is the 20th in a "How I Got That Story" series highlighting the AltWeekly Awards' first-place winners.

Continue ReadingSusan Cooper Eastman: Exposing the Dark Side of a Christmas Classic

Back in April, Willamette Week asked the city of Portland about $85,000 in contracts that Fire Bureau manager Michael Speck awarded to a company owned by his son. The city then launched an investigation and, after the paper published the story, suspended Speck for a month without pay. According to a story this week in the Oregonian, Speck has been ordered to pay a $6,000 penalty because investigators found that he had broken ethics laws.

Continue ReadingWillamette Week Investigation Leads to $6000 Fine for Fire Official

When Steve Billings thought about what kind of food reviewer he wanted to be, he knew one thing. He didn't want to write dish-by-dish accounts of dining out. Instead, in his award-winning column for Metro Santa Cruz, he writes of the philosophy behind making sauerkraut, the goals of an organic farmer and other topical subjects. This is the 19th in a "How I Got That Story" series highlighting the AltWeekly Awards' first-place winners.

Continue ReadingSteve Billings: It’s Not Just About Food